In this issue I’d like to focus on a specific area of Human Resources, one in which I spend around 50% of time, Human Resource Development, sometimes called learning and development or training.

I have heard some horror stories lately about training which has gone wrong. Whilst the common standard for trainers is certificate 4 in Australia, this alone doesn’t guarantee a successful training program if at all as the bar is so low. Nor does someone who is a good presenter, a teacher nor someone who has been to the latest motivational guru to hit town.

When you are selecting a training consultant or facilitator here are some simple steps to consider.

Do a preliminary interview on the phone to work out if they have a similar philosophy.

Interview them against qualifications, skills, knowledge of the subject matter, experience in the subject, and fit with your organisational objectives, culture and strategy.

Do back ground checks including previous clients and talk with people in the business.

Include your key stakeholders in the process

Just because someone has trained a program with another organisation does not mean they are a good at it. The process is two way so make sure you listen to them and they listen to you.

Personally speaking

The year aheadWell this year is action packed with consulting booked well in advance for clients including Fuji Xerox, OMX, Organon, Fairfax and others.

Executive CoachingI know that the demand for executive coaching is growing which is a good thing and I am also watching consultants/coaches enter this field which is also a good thing.
I would urge you consider the same criteria in selecting an executive coach as the feature story.

Why this reature story?
You may be thinking at this point that the feature story is self interest and you would be partly right!
As you can imagine I met people all the time. When they ask what I do I let them know that I work as a management consultant in the field of HR.

Sometime people turn up their noses and sometimes not.
More often than not those who turn up their noses have had a bad experience or do not understand to value of developing human capital in business.

So my story is designed to both protect you from putting your hand in your pocket and seeing nothing in return and to uphold the value which I and many other consultants bring clients.